Lawyers for Sudan’s ex-spy chief call for his release

April 14, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) referred the case of its former director Salah Gosh and his aide Salah al-Sheik to the Justice Ministry amid calls by their lawyers for their immediate release.

According to Gosh’s defense team, the Justice Minister has established an investigation committee to review his case but it is unclear what its mandate is.

His lawyers have also filed a motion with the Constitutional Court to force Sudanese authorities to free him as he has been held since November without charges in violation of National Security law.

Gosh was arrested along with a dozen other officers from the military and NISS in connection with an alleged coup attempt thwarted last year.

While the army officers stood before a tribunal and were tried and convicted, the ex-spy chief has yet to face a court despite his poor health conditions which prompted his evacuation to a hospital at one point after suffering a heart attack.

Gosh was once a powerful figure in the government and the ruling party before his removal from the NISS directorship which marked the beginning of the end for his political career.

In 2011 he was abruptly sacked by President Bashir from the position as security adviser following an imbroglio between him and presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie over dialogue with opposition parties. He was later stripped of his position within the NCP and only maintained his seat in the parliament for the Merowe constituency.

(ST)